Turner Announces New Parking Plan to Boost Access to St John’s Vegetable Market
Urban Renewal Minister Rawdon Turner has announced a new initiative to improve customer access to vendors at the St John’s Vegetable Market by creating a designated parking zone along Lower All Saints Road.
Speaking on ABS this morning, Turner said that Cabinet has been asked to approve the transformation of the no-parking zone adjacent to the vegetable market into a customer-only parking area.
To regulate the system, two kiosks will be established—one near the VC Bird bust and another closer to the craft section of the market. Shoppers intending to do business with vendors will be required to obtain a parking permit from these kiosks.
The permits, to be displayed on vehicle dashboards, will allow customers up to 45 minutes of parking while they shop.
Turner explained that the time limit was determined after consultation with vendors, who agreed it would be sufficient for most transactions.
“Parking has always been a major issue for the vegetable market,” Turner said.
“In some cases, customers have had to park as far away as the Multipurpose Centre. This initiative directly addresses the vendors’ calls for easier customer access.”
Turner added that traffic enforcement will remain strict: vehicles parked without a visible permit will be ticketed. Police officers will be instructed to check permits and ensure customers do not exceed the 45-minute allowance.
The measure is aimed at encouraging more foot traffic into the market, thereby boosting the livelihoods of vendors who have long complained about parking difficulties deterring potential customers.
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When you make exceptions you open the door for a return to the chaos.
Why was the snow come van exempted?
Why is he on the main road?
Can the bread seller return?
Can all food vendors return?
SJDC you either clean up the streets or leave everyone
This is one of the few things that I would give kudos to. I was rather surprised, astonished , overjoyed yesterday when I went into St.John’s, came off the bus and Walking up market street with such ease and comfort. Around the vegetable market was clear and inviting and smelling good at that. It was a breath of fresh air. So Please please please please please please a thousand more please keep it this way. Please don’t let people just get up and go overseas and purchase stuff for a particular season and just think they can come into the capital and open a tent store and remain these for ever.
Mr. Turner it doesn’t matter how long they have been there. The issue is how did they get there in the first place. Some of these vendors came there selling for their family members who are farmers and ending up staying there and selling every day. Buying and selling over. Their is a Guyanese vendor for example that use to work with one of the vendors that sells inside the market . Then she started selling outside for herself. Then her two brothers came to Antigua as well. Two very quiet, nice guys , very good tradesmen. Next thing both of them planted two tents and started selling as well. Then they hired workers and had them sell up market street. Then other family members, father , cousins joined in. Know what the quiet fooly Antiguan vendors stayed inside . For decades they have been crying about it. Yet the same manager lady and all those corrupt managers collect bribes from these people and allow this to get completely out of hand. So yes they may say that they have been doing this for over 10 , 15 , 20 years but look what they were allowed to do to our town and how did it happen. They brag how they bribe the market managers.
Sir thanks for biting the bullet and making this decision. It will not be popular with those that are trading . However, this one act makes Antigua a far better tourism destination. This one act makes walking up market street much more secure.
Sir yesterday I saw several of the store owner started putting out tables on the walkway. So again people had to step into the traffic. Let them know that you did not clear the sidewalk for them to extend their stores.
The place looks so clean and peaceful that it lends for good security as well. I can put my bet down that due to the spaciousness there will be less crimes. The police will be able to handle the school children much better.
Thanks for returning St.John from a Ghetto to a clean recognizable city.
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